Video: Two brothers shot dead in Taunton

Monday

Feb 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2008 at 10:56 PM

Police have made no arrests in the shooting deaths of two brothers inside an apartment at 729 Somerset Ave. Sunday afternoon, but authorities say they are fairly certain the victims had been singled out.

Kendra Sardinha

Police have made no arrests in the shooting deaths of two brothers inside an apartment at 729 Somerset Ave. Sunday afternoon, but authorities say they are fairly certain the victims had been singled out.

“We believe they were targeted, it was not a random act of violence. It was pretty brazen on a Sunday afternoon,” said Taunton Police Chief Raymond O’Berg, who declined to divulge further details. “The two victims were known to us, through various encounters and criminal charges.”

At least one of the brothers lived at the multi-family house, from which they were transported to Morton Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after the 2:15 p.m. shooting, O’Berg said.

Two children, ages 2 and 4, were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and were taken to Morton Hospital before being released to family.

One of the children may have been the son or daughter of one of the victims, O’Berg said.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims.

“We’re not going to release the victim’s ID’s tonight,” said Greg Miliote, director of communications for the Bristol County District Attorney’s office, citing the pending homicide investigation.

The men were shot multiple times, evidenced by the more than a dozen yellow markers scattering the driveway behind the crime scene tape where shell casings fell.

Witnesses said a white Ford Taurus fled the scene, speeding down the street and hitting a number of vehicles. There was a four-car hit and run crash at Harrison Avenue and Weir Street shortly after the shooting, but police still don’t know if the wreck was related to the attack. According to O’Berg, it may have been a coincidence.

“That’s what we have investigations for,” the chief said, declining to name the type of gun used or the number of suspects police are looking for.

According to neighbors, the house where the shooting took place had become a source of trouble.

One man, who declined to give his name, said the victims were a 18 and 22 years old.

“Those two houses have been problems for awhile. One of the victims was shot in the neck four times,” he said.

Bob and Nancy Leroyer have lived across the street a few doors down from the scene for 20 years. According to Leroyer, occupants of the two-story apartment building where the attack happened and the white house next door were noisy and disruptive.

“I’m in shock,” Leroyer said. “This is awful. I don’t know what it’s about, but it’s very troubling when you’re trying to raise a family.”

Leroyer was working in his garage when his 18-year-old daughter came in and said she heard what sounded like popping.

“We won’t be walking our dog until we get this cleaned up,” he said, adding he was further shaken by the shooting because it happened on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

Leroyer said the presence of various officials who came out to investigate was comforting, and he hopes police will maintain a watchful presence.

“Maybe they can put the fear into people,” he said. “If they don’t feel free to continue their ways here, then maybe they’ll take it elsewhere.”

Leroyer has thought about moving out of the area, but doesn’t feel that it would be fair to leave other neighbors to pick up the pieces and try to improve things.

“How good would I be if I left and hoped that someone else would clean up?” he said. “I want to get involved.”

Another woman said she learned of the shooting from her neighbors.

“I had my blinds closed and didn’t hear anything,” the woman, who would not give her name, said. “I’ve lived in the house across the street for 37 years and everything was fine until about 10 years ago. We never had any problems like this before.”